Comfortable Cold-Weather Pop-Up Camping Limits

[Stringdriver]

Hi all.

I’m really liking the forum and I’ve had some very friendly exchanges and input from some long-time members.

Curious how far down on the colder temperature-scale members have had success (or not so much success) camping in their pop-ups.

I do have a furnace in my Williamsburg, but it’s been years since I had it out in anything close to a temp that I needed to use it.

Would love to hear some practical experiences from members. Thinking of going toward Michigan sometime in October.

What temps and where have you all had success?

Would enjoy hearing!

Thanks!

String

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

It comes down to your definition of "success". The colder it gets, the less effective the heater will be in terms of even heating. I've camped in freezing temps in a tent with no heat at all. A popup amounts to a tent with a nicer bed. It comes down to what comfort level you're hoping for and if that's 24/7, while you're awake, or just sleeping. I wouldn't think October in MI would be all that extreme, I would be surprised if it even got close to freezing. The closer to ambient you can tolerate, the easier it will be to maintain that level. You could probably set an interior temp of say 60F and the heater will hold it, but expect it to run a lot and go through a commensurate amount of fuel. I probably wouldn't cook inside due to condensation (that happens even in my class A on cold days). I would approach it from the perspective that you take what you need to get through days and nights with no heat at all, and enjoy whatever additional comfort level the heat and camper offer above that.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM

 

[UTTransplant]

We would routinely take our pop up into night time temps in the upper 20s. We had a furnace and really good sleeping bags. During the day, we closed the bed curtains to keep the heat in the main part of the rig as much as possible. We still wore sweaters in the mid to upper 40s temps. At night we deed a piece of closed cell foam at the end of the bed where our heads were; wore warm pajamas; warm, dry socks; and a knit cap. But that’s the same as I would have worn in a tent at the same temperatures.

 

[Kirk]

Going back to when we owned a popup in the 1970's and 80's, we used ours mostly when days were fairly warm but often with nights below freezing. We also used it to hunt elk in the Wyoming mountains in mid to late October with snow on the ground and most days below freezing. We did have a furnace which was able to keep the inside warm enough for us to be comfortable, but we were wearing thermal underwear and the heavy clothing for outdoors, except for our coats. We did our cooking inside and slept in winter sleeping bags. Having winter camped in a tent many times, I assure you that our popup was much more comfortable than a tent, but it was not like the living room at home.

 

[TheBar]

In good weather my wife and I used our Starcraft popup for 6 years before and 8 years after after we bought our last motorhome. The only reason we sold it (to our local campground host/friend) was because we built a garden home that just didn't have room for either camper. Plus we were over 70 and not as nimble as we used to be. We still miss it because it gives you a real feeling of being outdoors instead a a portable hotel room like the motorhome.

It depends on the size of your popup. Ours was an 8' floor between the beds with one queen bed in the front and a twin at the back. Our rule was to never use it when overnight lows were below 35 or daytime highs over 90. Our furnace never failed to keep the temperature at 74 degrees and the A/C the same. We have a moist climate and anything below 35 would cause condensation to form inside and drip on the beds.

But an 18' popups with a queen bed on both ends have the same furnace/AC and way more square feet to heat/cool. I would adjust the temperatures accordingly.

We never went when rain was predicted because we had to stuff saran wrap in the bottom corners to keep wind driven rain out. Plus the few times we did have rain or condensation it had to dry out before we collapsed it to keep it from molding inside. Wet mattresses with a box fan running take a whole day to dry out.

 

[John From Detroit]

A lot depends on your sleeping gear.. In my Boy Scout days I camped in a pup tent with no heat and snow on the ground and a NICE WARM SLEEPIN BAG.

Later on for another event (Also a BS event but I was there for other reasons) I slept in my car. IN Jan, no heat and on another occasion (different county) in a "lodge" w/o heat.. Nice cozy bag.

That last one Well. There is a story involed. I had recently had a fall and broke two lumbar vertebra (1 and 2) and was wearing a hyper extension back brace with not lying down.

So there was a noise in the middle of the night sounded like a baby's cry.. It was decided to investigate so I rolled out into my brace, buckled it on and having fairly good stereo hearing pointed a high power flashlight at where I though it was coming from.. The cat was not amused when the light hit it's eyes and in a very FELLINE manner voiced it's displeasure.. I killed the light and went back to sleep. The room was full of very able bodied boy scouts and you can imagine what the were thinking when .. In the light of morning.. I again rolled into my brace.


Not the only time I've taught a lesson like that. .but the biggest class.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Wow, you're picking my brain here. We had a pop-up from 1999 to 2005 and used it extensively, whenever possible. We did winter camping and had as much fun in the Winter as we did in the Summer. We also had our original tent we used for a storage room and it also had a port-a-potty in it so we didn't have to run to bath houses or out-houses in the snow. Yes, I said snow.

How cold, well ... cold enough for snow to be on the ground and not melt. Yes, we had a heater in it and had electricity. It wasn't until we got our first hard sided trailer that we realized it "really" would have been OK if we used electric blankets in the pop-up! For some reason, that thought never crossed our path.

 

[Stringdriver]

Hi All!

I appreciate the replies and stories! Nothing beats experience, that’s for sure.

The common theme among the replies that I’m seeing has been *mindset* and preparation.

The replies are a great way to frame perspective and the real capacities popups have.

Much appreciated! I hope to read more, in fact.

String

 

[Firstime RVer]

When camping in our conversion van, we spent a couple of sub freezing nights in vermont. Had a small electric heater (oversized hair dryer) which along with our sleeping bags kept us toasty.
Cant speak for pop ups, but the van had very little insulation and we still slept comfortably.
IMHO If you have an electric hookup available and a decent sized electric heater, you should have no trouble keeping warm.
Safe Travels and all the best.

 

[Stringdriver]

When camping in our conversion van, we spent a couple of sub freezing nights in vermont. Had a small electric heater (oversized hair dryer) which along with our sleeping bags kept us toasty.
Cant speak for pop ups, but the van had very little insulation and we still slept comfortably.
IMHO If you have an electric hookup available and a decent sized electric heater, you should have no trouble keeping warm.
Safe Travels and all the best.

I’m pretty confident that the propane furnace will do a decent job, actually.

It’s been many years since I’ve been out and about in chiller temps.

 

[Kirk]

It’s been many years since I’ve been out and about in chiller temps.

Like Dutchman, I liked the vast expanse of windows in the popup that no modern RV has. My suggestion would be to try using it into the cooler weather in fall and just keep going until it isn't comfortable and fun any longer. The temperature when it is time to stop is very subjective depending on who is using it. Like all styles of RV use, the best way is what you enjoy.

 

[jlhog]

Everyone has a different tolerance to temperatures. What is cold to me, may not be cold to you.

 

[IBTripping]

I had an uninsulated van I slept in while traveling in Montana in the winter. Like Firstime RVer, I was comfortable using an electric heater in campgrounds with electric hookups.

 

[PapaGlenn]

You can also consider adding a bit of insulation. Reflectix zipped into the windows and bunk end covers will make cold weather much more comfortable. Also, bunk end covers will lessen condensation issues.

 

[Stringdriver]

Hi! Yes! I’ve made the Reflectix panels for the roasting summer heat and sun. Store them under the beds.

Certain it will help with cold as well! I just haven’t been in that situation yet.

Much appreciated.